Resealable Hinged Tab Opener For A Can

ABSTRACT

A resealable pop-top type opener for a can having a curvilinear tab handle extending to divergent arms having a post fixed therebetween. A tab hinge is mounted to the tab plate with the hinge knuckle encompassing the hinge post so that the curvilinear tab handle can be pivoted from a substantially horizontal direction to a vertical direction whereupon the tab arms are used to manipulate the tab to either an open position or if open to a closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to pop-top cans and, morespecifically, to a pop-top opener for a can having a curvilinear tabhandle extending to divergent arms having a post fixed therebetween.Further provided is a tab hinge fixed to the tab plate having the hingepost mounted within the hinge knuckle. To open, the tab handle is raisedcausing the tab arms to break the tab plate from the can plate whereuponthe tab handle is rotated moving the tab arms into the opening androtating the tab handle until the tab arms are positioned under the cantop. The tab handle is returned to its seated position thereby holdingthe tab plate in the open position. To close the tap plate, the tabhandle is raised and rotated thereby moving the arms from under the cantop and rotating the tab until the tab arms are positioned on the cantop exterior wherethen the tab handle is returned to its seated positionthereby holding the tab plate securely against the can opening thereinsealing the can.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are other opening devices designed for cans. While these openingdevices may be suitable for the purposes for which they where designed,they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present inventionas heretofore described.

It is thus desirable to provide an opener having a curvilinear tabhandle spaced partially from the can top providing leverage for openingsaid can.

It is further desirable to provide a tab having tab arms that can beused to keep the tab plate in an open or closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a hinged openerfor a sealed beverage can selectively providing access thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinged openerfor a sealed beverage container comprising a displaceable opener frameterminating in a pair of divergent arms.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hingedopener for a sealed beverage container further comprising a postextending between said divergent arms.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hingedcover further comprised of the hinge portion having a knuckled portionencompassing the tab post portion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinged coverwherein said hinge portion extends to a flange having an aperturetherein for mounting said hinge portion to the can opening portion.

Additional objects of the present invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art byproviding a resealable pop-top type opener for a can having acurvilinear tab handle extending to divergent arms having a post fixedtherebetween. A tab hinge is mounted to the tab plate with the hingeknuckle encompassing the hinge post so that the curvilinear tab handlecan be pivoted from a substantially horizontal direction to a verticaldirection whereupon the tab arms are used to manipulate the tab toeither an open position or if open to a closed position.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from thedescription to follow. In the description reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best definedby the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawingin which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the resealable hinged tab opener for acan.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, thefigures illustrate the Resealable Pop-Top Style Tab Opener forContainers of the present invention. With regard to the referencenumerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the variousdrawing figures.

-   -   10 Resealable Pop-Top Style Tab Opener for Containers of the        present invention    -   12 can    -   14 curvilinear tab handle    -   16 arm    -   18 user    -   20 tab plate    -   22 hinge member    -   24 rivet    -   26 top of 12    -   28 tab member    -   30 horizontal post    -   32 egress aperture    -   34 knuckle of 22    -   36 can plate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of theinvention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussionshould not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to thoseparticular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognizenumerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scopeof the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the resealable hinged tab opener 10for a can 12. The present invention provides a resealable pop-top typeopener 10 for a can 12 having a curvilinear tab handle 14 extending todivergent arms 16 with a post fixed therebetween. Further provided is ahinge fastened to the tab plate 20 with the hinge knuckle encompassingthe tab handle post. To open, the tab handle 14 is raised by the user 18then rotated using the arms to wedge the tab plate open providing accessto the container contents. To close, the tab is rotated until the armsare positioned on opposing exterior sides of the opening where the tabis returned to its seated position sealing the tab plate 20 to the canopening.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the present invention. The presentinvention is a resealable pop-top type opener 10 for a can 12 having atab handle 14 with a hinge 22 pivotally connected to a resealable tabplate 20 with a rivet 24. The tab plate 20 is malleable and scored intothe can top 26. The hinged tab plate 20 is opened by lifting the handle14 and turning so that the tab arms 16 are inserted into the can 12 thenrotated moving the tab plate 20 to an open position, to reseal the can12, the tab 28 is rotated until the tab arms 16 are positioned on thecan top exterior and the tab is pushed to its seated position sealingthe can 12 closed.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the present invention. Shown is theresealable pop-top type opener 10 for cans 12 having the handle 14 in apartially lifted position pivoting on the hinge 22 with the tab plate 20in a sealed position and the arms 16 resting on the can top 26.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the present invention. Shown is theresealable pop-top type opener 10 for cans 12 having a handle 14 with ahinge 22 illustrated in a partially lifted position with tab plate 20 ina semi open position. The tab arms 16 provide a vertical pivot point asthey sit on the can top 26.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of the present invention. Shown are thesteps used to open and close the can 12 using the provided resealablepop-top tab 10. The tab handle 14 is lifted and rotated so that tab arms16 can be manipulated and inserted within the can 12 and pressed upagainst the underside of the can top 26 portion, then pressed downthereby presenting a downward bias deforming the front of the tab plate20 and opening the can 12. To reseal the can 12 the process is reversedand once the arms 16 are returned to the top compression of the handle14 draws the front of the tab plate 20 back into the closed position.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is anexploded view of the resealable pop-top can opener 10 having allcomponents removed from can top 26 portion. Shown is the tab member 28with the handle 14, horizontal post 30, arms 16, hinge 22 with knuckle34, can top 26 and egress aperture 32, tab plate 20, can plate 36, rivet24 and can 12.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is anexploded view of the pop-top can opener 10 of the present invention withtab plate 20 assembled and all other components removed from can top 26portion.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is anexploded view of the pop-top can opener 10 with the knuckle 34 of thehinge 22 attached to the horizontal post 30 of the handle 14.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is anexploded view of the resealable pop-top can opener 10 with tab 28,handle 14, hinge 22 and tab plate 20 assembled to can top 26.

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the present invention. Shown is anassembled view of the resealable pop-top type can opener 10 with the cantop 26 and all the related components fully assembled on the can 12.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together may also find a useful application in other types ofmethods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intendedto be limited to the details above, since it will be understood thatvarious omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the formsand details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be madeby those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spiritof the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

1. A resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contentsof a can comprising: a) a can having a top portion; b) a malleable tabplate scored into said top portion of said can; and c) a tab memberpivotally and rotatively secured to said tab plate for separating aportion of said tab plate from said top portion of said can andresealing said tab plate thereto.
 2. The resealable pop-top mechanismfor accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 1,wherein said tab member comprises: a) an arcuate handle having aproximal end secured to said tab plate a distal end for manipulatingsaid tab member; b) means for pivotally securing said handle to said tabplate; c) means for rotatively securing said handle to said tab plate;d) a pair of divergent arms projecting vertically downward from saidproximal end of said handle; and e) a horizontal post extending betweensaid divergent arms.
 3. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessingand storing the contents of a can according to claim 2, wherein saidmeans for pivotally securing said handle to said tab plate is a hingehaving a knuckle associated with said horizontal post to enable thevertical movement of said handle.
 4. The resealable pop-top mechanismfor accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 2,wherein said means for rotatively securing said handle to said tab plateis a rivet passing through said tab plate and said hinge to enable therotative movement of said tab member and it's affiliated components. 5.The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contentsof a can according to claim 2, wherein said horizontal post extendsbeyond the parameters of the width of said tab plate.
 6. The resealablepop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a canaccording to claim 5, wherein said divergent arms project from saidhorizontal post at an acute angle to maintain contact with the topportion of said tab plate at all times.
 7. The resealable pop-topmechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according toclaim 6, wherein lifting said distal end of said handle results in saiddivergent arms applying a downward bias to the front upper portion ofsaid tab plate thereby compromising the scored seal therein anddeforming it to provide an aperture to access the contents therein. 8.The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contentsof a can according to claim 7, wherein the rotation of said handleperpendicularly enables the user to introduce said horizontal post andsaid divergent arms through said aperture into the interior of the canthereby further urging said front portion of said tab plate downward. 9.The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contentsof a can according to claim 8, wherein rotating said handle back to itsoriginal, seated position with said horizontal post positioned againstthe underside of said can top maintains said tab plate in the opencondition.
 10. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing andstoring the contents of a can according to claim 9, wherein lifting androtating said handle enables the user to raise said horizontal post andsaid divergent arms above said aperture with the hinge attached to saidhorizontal post and said tab plate drawing said tab plate upwards thusclosing said aperture.
 11. The resealable pop-top mechanism foraccessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 10,wherein rotation of said handle and lowering it to its original seatedposition effectively completes the resealing process to retain theremaining contents therein.
 12. A resealable pop-top style tab mechanismfor a can comprising: a) a can with a top portion; b) a malleable tabplate scored into said top portion of said can; c) a tab member having aproximal end and a distal end disposed on said top portion of said can;d) a curvilinear handle extending between said proximal end and saiddistal end of said tab member; e) a horizontal post disposed on saidproximal end of said tab member; f) a pair of divergent arms projectingdownward from opposing ends of said horizontal post; g) a hinge having aknuckle encircling said horizontal post; and h) a rivet rotativelyconnecting said hinge to said tab plate.
 13. The resealable pop-topstyle tab mechanism for a can recited in claim 12, wherein the opposingends of said horizontal post extend beyond the width of said tab plate.14. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited inclaim 13, wherein said divergent arms project from their respective endsof said horizontal posts at an acute angle to maintain contact with thetop portion of said tab plate.
 15. The resealable pop-top style tabmechanism for a can recited in claim 14, wherein vertically lifting saidhandle results in the hinge and divergent arms compromising the scoredseal at the front portion of said tab plate thereby lowering it toreveal an egress aperture therein.
 16. The resealable pop-top style tabmechanism for a can recited in claim 15, wherein rotation of said taband affiliated hinge around said rivet further lowers said front portionof said tab plate increasing the access of said aperture as saidhorizontal post is positioned against the underside of said can top. 17.The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in claim16, wherein returning said handle to its original seated position withsaid horizontal post residing within said can and said divergent armsretaining said front portion of said tab plate downward in the openposition to access the contents contained therein.
 18. The resealablepop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in claim 17, whereinreversing the process withdraws said horizontal post and said divergentarms from the interior of said can and said hinge pulls the frontportion of said tab plate upwards to effectively reseal said aperture.19. A method for utilizing a resealable pop-top style mechanism toprovide access to the contents of a can and reseal the opening topreserve the remaining contents contained therein comprising the steps:a) providing a can with a top portion having a malleable tab platescored therein, a tab mechanism having a curvilinear handle, ahorizontal post disposed at one end of said handle and extending beyondthe width of said tab plate, a hinge disposed on said horizontal post, arivet rotatively connecting said hinge to said tab plate and a pair ofdivergent arms projecting downward at acute angles from the ends of saidhorizontal post; b) lifting said handle vertically to provide a downwardbias to the front portion of said tab plate thereby compromising saidscored seal and having said front portion descend below said top of saidcan; c) rotating said handle to enable said horizontal post to enter theinterior of said can while said divergent arms further lower said frontportion of said tab plate; d) returning said handle to its originalseated position with said horizontal post residing against the undersideof said can top and said divergent arms on the top of said front portionof said tab plate thereby retaining it in the open position; e)reversing the process to release said horizontal post and said divergentarms from the interior of said can; and f) returning said handle to itsoriginal seated position wherein said hinge draws said tab plate to anequilateral plane with said can top thereby effectively resealing saidaperture.